Seat Support Structure for a Child Motion Device

Abstract

A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface, a drive system defining a generally vertical axis of rotation, and a support arm supported above the floor surface by the frame assembly. The support arm is cantilevered from near the axis of rotation and has a driven end coupled to the drive system, which pivotally reciprocates the support arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation. A seat holder is carried by the support arm spaced from the driven end and a seat is supported by the seat holder. The seat and seat holder are constructed to permit the seat to be removed from the seat holder. The seat is usable as a seat when removed from the seat holder and can be positioned on the seat holder in more than one optional seat facing orientation.

1 . A child motion device comprising:
 a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface;   
     a drive system defining a generally vertical axis of rotation;
 a support arm supported above the floor surface by the frame assembly and cantilevered from near the axis of rotation, the support arm having a driven end coupled to the drive system which pivotally reciprocates the support arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation; 
 a seat holder carried by the support arm and spaced from the driven end; and 
 a seat supported by the seat holder, 
 wherein the seat and seat holder are constructed to permit the seat to be selectively positioned on the seat holder in more than two optional seat facing orientations. 
 
   
   
       2 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat can be removed from the seat holder and is usable as a seat when removed. 
   
   
       3 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the support arm is oriented at an angle of about 13 degrees from a vertical reference and toward the support arm, and wherein the support arm is oriented at an upward angle of about 4 degrees relative to a horizontal reference defined by the floor surface. 
   
   
       4 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat is removable from the seat holder, wherein the seat holder has two spaced apart holder segments each having a first latch element and a second latch element, and wherein the seat has a third latch element configured to engage the first latch element of either one of the two holder segments and has a fourth latch element configured to engage the second latch element of either one of the two holder segments. 
   
   
       5 . A child motion device according to  claim 4 , wherein the first latch element is a catch with an opening and an exposed lip within the opening, and the third latch element is a pivotable latch on a bottom of the seat shaped to engage the lip within the opening in a latched position. 
   
   
       6 . A child motion device according to  claim 5 , wherein the seat has an actuator that can effect movement of the pivotable latch between the latched position and a release position retracted from the opening. 
   
   
       7 . A child motion device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second latch element is an exposed bottom edge on each of the holder segments, and the fourth latch element is a pair of feet that are spaced apart on and project from the bottom of the seat, each of the feet arranged to catch under the bottom edge of the holder segments when the seat is positioned on the seat holder. 
   
   
       8 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat is an infant carrier with a handle and is also attachable to and removable from a car seat base separate from the child motion device. 
   
   
       9 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat holder has four identical holder segments arranged to form a square shape surrounding a center opening. 
   
   
       10 . A child motion device according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the holder segments has a first latch element and a second latch element, wherein the seat has a third latch element configured to engage the first latch element of any one of the four holder segments and has a fourth latch element configured to engage the second latch element of any one of the four holder segments, and wherein the seat can be positioned on the seat holder in any one of four optional seat facing orientations. 
   
   
       11 . A child motion device according to  claim 9 , wherein the seat can rest on the seat holder in any one of four optional seat facing orientations including a first orientation facing the support arm, a second orientation facing away from the support arm, a third orientation with the support arm positioned on the left side of the seat, and a fourth orientation with the support arm positioned on the right side of the seat. 
   
   
       12 . A child motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat holder is a ring surrounding an opening and wherein the seat has a nesting part on a bottom of the seat that registers within the opening. 
   
   
       13 . A child motion device according to  claim 12 , wherein the nesting part has an upward notch and a part of the ring seats in the notch with the seat positioned on the seat holder. 
   
   
       14 . A child motion device according to  claim 12 , wherein the seat holder has four holder segments forming a square ring and wherein the seat can be positioned on the ring in any one of four optional seat facing orientations including a first orientation facing the support arm, a second orientation facing away from the support arm, a third orientation with the support arm positioned on the left side of the seat, and a fourth orientation with the support arm positioned on the right side of the seat. 
   
   
       15 . A child motion device according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the four holder segments and the seat have latch elements arranged to allow the seat to be latched on the seat holder in any one of the four optional seat facing orientations. 
   
   
       16 . A child seat system comprising:
 a car seat base configured to rest on a vehicle seat;   a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface;   a drive system defining a generally vertical axis of rotation;   a support arm supported above the floor surface by the frame assembly and cantilevered from near the axis of rotation, the support arm having a driven end coupled to the drive system, which pivotally reciprocates the support arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation;   a seat holder carried by the support arm spaced from the driven end; and   a seat removable from and attachable to the seat holder and removable from and attachable to the car seat base.   
   
   
       17 . A child seat system according to  claim 16 , wherein the seat and the seat holder are constructed to permit the seat to be installed on the seat holder in more than one optional seat facing orientation. 
   
   
       18 . A child seat system according to  claim 16 , wherein the seat holder has a first latch element and a second latch element, wherein the seat has a third latch element configured to engage the first latch element and has a fourth latch element configured to engage the second latch element with the seat installed on the seat holder, and wherein the car seat base has a fifth latch element configured to engage the third latch element on the seat base when installed on the car seat base. 
   
   
       19 . A child seat system according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat holder has two spaced apart holder segments, each having one of the first and second latch elements and arranged to permit the seat to be installed on the seat holder in two different seat facing orientations. 
   
   
       20 . A child seat system according to  claim 16 , wherein the seat holder includes four holder segments in a square arrangement.